The Codex Pauli, dedicated to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, who proclaimed the Year of St Paul, includes hitherto unpublished articles, written for this occasion by , His Holiness Bartholomew I Ecumenical Patriarch, His Holiness Kirill Patriarch of Moscow, His Beatitude Gregory III Melkite Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, His Eminence Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone Secretary of State, His Grace Dr. Rowan Williams Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Eduard Lohse Bishop Emeritus of the Evangelical Church of Hanover, and many others.
The foreword and the introductions to the Pauline writings were prepared by Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi and other distinguished biblical scholars and theologians.
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For the Codex an original font, “Paulus 2008” was created, reflecting the handwriting of the amanuensis of the 9th century Carolingian Bible. The binding and cover of the work were prepared with rare artisan craftsmanship on a wooden plate of 1.2 cm, covered with calf suede (in light grey) and are decorated with eight bronze tiles inspired by the Byzantine Door of the Basilica of Saint Paul outside the Walls, with scenes from the mysteries of Christ (front binding) and of the Church (back binding).
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The eight corners are embellished with swords, a symbol typical of Pauline iconography.
The two jewelled crosses, at the centre of the binding, draw inspiration from the mosaic “enthroned Cross” of the apse of the Basilica of Saint Paul; they are decorated with 24 carat gold. These crosses were made by the foundry DOMUSDEI of the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master (Rome). The binding was made by the bookbinder ARTE DEL LIBRO (Todi). The Printing is in six plus two colours on watermarked paper (170 gr.) Corolla Pentagram of the paper-makers FEDRIGONI, and the gold stamping of the main illuminations is by the printers TIPAR (Roma). TIPAR (Roma).
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The Codex Pauli is a single volume of 424 pages, of large dimensions (35 x 48 x10 cm.),and of the finest composition. The impressive size of the Codex reveals the intention of the Editor to celebrate the Apostle of the Gentiles by means of a monumental work, unique in its genre. The Codex is conceived in the style of the old monastic manuscripts and is enriched by
an detailed selection of decorations, illuminations and illustrations, drawn from the manuscripts of various periods belonging to the Abbey of Saint Paul outside the Walls: true treasures of art, such as the Carolingian Bible (9th century). Delicate colouring, the shining strokes of gold and the variegated articulation of the designs enhance the fascination and value of this lasting memorial to the celebration of the bimillennium of the birth of Saint Paul
The Codex Pauli opens with
an articulated introduction and contributions by eminent personalities of the various Christian confessions, they present the person and the message of the great Apostle, in dialogue with the culture and perceptions of our times.
As we turn the pages of the volume, the Paul of yesterday, present in the original
Greek text, speaks to us through the translation in the language of today. Alongside the complete
Corpus Paulinum , there are also the Italian and Greek texts of
the Acts of the Apostles,
the Letter to the Hebrews and a detailed selection of the
Apocrypha concerning Paul (The Acts of Paul;
Letters of Paul and of the Corinthians;
Martyrdom of the Holy Apostle Paul;
Acts of Paul and Thecla;
The Letter to the Laodiceans;
The Correspondence of Paul and Seneca;
Apocalypse of Paul).
Each single text opens with a presentation by one of the foremost exegetes of Saint Paul and closes with a page of monastic lectio divina.
The work is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity of the Abbey of Saint Paul outside the Walls
The impression is limited to 998 numbered copies.
